INDONESIAN PRESIDENT-ELECT PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR PNG INCLUSION IN ASEAN

By Nigel-Francis Mado

During his visit to Papua New Guinea yesterday the President-Elect of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Prabowo Subianto has pledged his support to Prime Minister James Marape and his cabinet to back Papua New Guinea in their endeavour to be included in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations [ASEAN].

The President Elect stated that he liked the idea of Prime Minister Marape’s statement that both PNG and Indonesia were very close neighbours and was very happy to hear that PNG would like to join ASEAN.
He said Indonesia should be the first to support PNG coming to ASEAN adding that both nations have a lot of discussions on education, industry, mining, tourism, defence, on all aspects to this, he is eager to work more and more together with the PNG Government.

Papua New Guinea has been an observer of the regional bloc since 1976, earlier than any other non-original member of ASEAN. Its leaders have been pushing for full membership since at least the 1980s.
Besides this he said Indonesia has more to learn from PNG in terms of culture and ethnicity including the cultural relationship with Papuans on the Indonesian side of the border.

He said PNG’s insights on culture, on respecting tradition, respecting the rights of indigenous peoples, is very, very important for Indonesia and his government would like to always seek advice on this matter.